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PBNU: Different views within Aswaja circles are a must

NU Online  ·  Sabtu, 2 Februari 2008 | 02:27 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
Chairman of the Lawmaking Body of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Ma'ruf Amin said that different views within the teachings of Ahlussunnah wal Jama'ah (Aswaja) was a must.

"Different views within the Aswaja circles is a must for the characteristic of ijtihad is the difference," he said at a meeting discussing Aswaja teachings at the NU headquarters, Jln. Kramat Raya 164 Jakarta on Friday (1/2).<>

At the meeting initiated by the NU Islamic Pesantrens Association within the frame of the NU 82nd anniversary, Kiai Ma'ruf reminded that whatever disseinting opinion could be tolerated in sofar as it remain within the difference itself.

"There are clear terminologies between the areas of difference and deviation. That is why the difference is tolerated and the deviation is amputated," he said.

According to Kiai Ma'ruf as the ulema and people-based organization, NU suggested Aswaja as a method in understanding and interpreting religious texts before deciding both principles and laws.

"Aswaja is the manhaj fi fahmin nufus wa tafsiriha wa ikhtirajil mabadi' wal ahlkam (a method of understanding, interpreting and issuing both principles and laws)," Kiai Ma'ruf said.

In the meantime, Chairman of the PBNU KH Said Aqil Siradj added that NU considered Aswaja as a method of thinking, covering all aspects of life based on principles, namely moderation, balance and tolerance.

He was of view that the moderation of Aswaja was reflected in the method of making decision by using religious texts and taking into account of rasional considerations.

While Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Preaching Institution (LDNU) KH Nuril Huda said that his institution had arranged books taking up Aswaja teachings for Nahdliyin living especially in villages.

The purposeful forum was attended by NU young cadres from RMI, The Wahid Institute, P3M, LTN NU, Lakpesdam NU, PMII, IPNU, IPPNU, Fahmi Institute, Syir'ah, and so on.

While Vice Chairman of the PBNU Prof Dr KH Thalchah Hasan as quoted by Kiai Said Aqil Siradj expected the Halaqah of Aswaja to at least be conducted once in three months in anticipating and dealing with misunderstandings between old and young clrcles. (dar/nam)